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Brilliance of diamond

From a physical point of view the term "brilliance" comprises several distinct optical processes in diamond:

External brilliance:

luster, produced by the reflection of light on the surface of the facets.

Internal brilliance:

Refraction and total reflection of light on the pavilion facets.

Dispersive brilliance:

Splitting or scattering of light into its spectral colors = the dispersion which evokes the "fire" or "life" in a brilliant.

Scintillation brilliance:

The "sparkle" of the stone when moved, caused by light reflections of the light source.